Daily Press from Newport News, Virginia • Page 11

GLOUCESTER AND DAILY PRESS, Newport News MATHEWS COUNTIES AND WEST POINT Hampton Warwick, Thursday, September 24, 1953 fifty lirV' If- re ii liiiilili 'illtillWfeU MlllllMiW5 if i Yrtemn 1 i PLEASANT WEATHER PREVAILS AT DEDICATION CEREMONY Sts-v''" ft in Sunny skies and pleasant weather greeted more than 2,000 persons, some of whom shown above, who turned out yesterday to witness dedicatioh ceremonies of Virginia's newest bridge, the million-dollar John Andrew Twigg Bridge which spans the Piankatank River, linking Mathews and Middlesex Counties. Following ceremonies the bridge was opened to traffic. Dedication Of John A. Twigg Bridge Is Witnessed By 2000 At Mathews County Ceremonies NOT ONLY ADULTS WERE INTERESTED With popcorn, crackers and all, these children, among more than 2,000 persons to witness yesterday's dedication ceremonies of Virginia's newest bridge, the million-dollar John Andrew Twigg Bridge which spans the Piankatank River, linking Mathews and Middlesex Counties, seemed to be 'taken it all in." DESCENDANT BREAKS RIBBON IN BRIDGE-OPEN CEREMONY Miss Jane Twigg, right, cuting the ribbon in ceremonies yesterday dedicating Virgiina's new- est bridge, the million-dollar John Andrew Twigg Bridge which spans the Piankatank River, linking Mathews and Middlesex Counties. Miss Twigg is the granddaughter of the late John Andrew Twigg after whom the bridge was named.

Holding the ribbon for Miss Twigg is State Senator W. Marvin Minter of Mathews, left, who presided at the ceremonies, and Gen. James A. Andetson, State Highway Commissioner. West Point Club Hears Club Women To Entertain School Teachers Address On Restoration Teachers At granddaughter of the founder of the ferry service, for whom the, bridge was named.

Assisted by State Senator Minter and General Anderson, Miss Twigg cut the ribbon opening the way for the Middlesex High School Band and the procession of automobiles carrying the official party to the Midlesex side of the span for a repeat of the unveiling and the ribbon cutting. Hundrcdsf persons followed on foot or by automobile as the span was officially opened to traffic. LAST FERRY TRIP The official party made the return trip to the Mathews County side aboard the tiny terry, Miss washing ton. and ferry service on the Pianka tank River was declared at an end with its arrival on the Mathews side. As the ferry made its way across the Piankatank on its final official run, it drew salutes from yachts anchored near the bridge.

On the bridge the new span was being given a real test by hundreds of automobiles which moved bump er-to-bumper in both directions over the river. At the wheel of the ferry for the final trio was Archie Matthews, a veteran of 12 years ferry duty here. The hichwav commissioner ex changed handshakes with members of the ferry crew and uianiceo tnem for a job well done oetore oe oartine. Members of the official party and other guests were entertained at a reception at the home of Mr. and Mrs.

E. Pratt Twigg at Mathews following the ceremonies. Twigg's ferry service which ended today has run since it was first founded in 1911. It has been operated toll free by the Department of Highways since 1940. The bridge, which cost 250.

is 2,090 feet long. It is a fixed span with an 80 foot horizontal and a 43 foot vertical clearance at the river channel. It is designed to carry the heaviest legal loads permitted on Virginia highways. The bridge dedication today came' two years from the date construction was first begun. A steel shortage last year brought a delay in the con struction schedule.

The contractor for the bridge was McLean Con trading Company of Baltimore. By ROBERT L. MARBLE Dixie, Sept 23 The John An drew Twigg Bridge was officially opened to traffic today as more than 2,000 witnessed dedicatory ceremo nies. Most of them came from Mathews and Middlesex Counties the two peninsulas linked by the new span across the scenic Pianka tank River here. The dedication of the one million dollar steel and concrete structure by State Highway Commissioner Gen.

James A. Anderson "to the comfort and safety of those who travel the highways of Virginia marked the end of another State operated ferry system. The bridge is next to the last link in the all-bridge route from Vir cinia's Northern Neck to the Lower Virginia Peninsula. Plans are already under way for the Rappahan nock River span which will com plete that link, and General Ander son told those attending today that good progress is being made on the final protect and that bids for in itial construction will be opened tomorrow in Richmond. Ia his dedicatory address, the commissioner paid tribute to the ferry personnel who have "admira bly served" through the years, to John Twigg, who founded the icrry service ai mis pomi on mc Piankatank River in 1911.

He paid recognition also to local and State leaders who worked for years to make this newest Virginia highway link possible. "May it long give most excellent ervice to the citizens of Mathews and Middlesex," the commissioner (aid, and he expressed tire hope that the new bridge will play an important- part in the development of the communities within the area. He noted that 107,399 vehicles crossed the river by ferry during the period July 1952, until June 30, 1953, and in quoting these figures he voiced the opinion that a considerable traffic increase would be noted in the years to come along the route. NOTES COOPERATION In his address, Anderson praised the boards of supervisors of the two counties for their cooperation through the years, with the State Highway Department and he called attention to the changes which have at Ljuw come about since the State Highway Commisison was, in 1932, charged with maintaining and improving nearly 40,000 miles of county roads. "The State Highway Department and the boards of supervisors are proud of the strides that have been made in secondary road development in the two counties," he told them.

He called attention to the record which shows less than one mile of hard surfaced road on the secondary system and 96 miles without surface in Mathews in 1932 as compared with 84.1 miles hard surfaced now and only 12 miles unsur-faccd. The Middlesex record showed no hard surfaced roads in 1932 with 76.3 miles hard surfaced now with only 4.8 miles remaining unsurfaced. Noting that the Piankatank River span, which is toll free, was financed with both State and Federal funds, he told those in attendance today that approximately $600,000 of the total cost of the bridge was pro vided by the Federal Government. MANY GUESTS The commissioner was accom panied here for the dedication by a host of other officials of the highway department. He was introduced today by State Senator W.

Marvin Minter of Mathews who presided at the ceremonies held at the Mathews side of the bridge. In addition to members of the highway commisison, officials of the highway department and local State legislatives and county officials, distinguished guests present today in cluded Lt. Governor and Mrs. A. E.

S. Stephens. Welcome greetings from the citi zens of Mathews and Middlesex Counties were exchanged by chairmen of the boards of supervisors of the two counties, W. Earl Daniel of Middlesex and Herbert K. Taylor of Mathews.

The Rev. John W. Morrison, pastor of the Urbanna Methodist Church, in delivering the invocation1, expressed the hope that the bridge would be of great service to the people of the two counties. Following the principal address today, a bronze plaque bearing the name of the bridge was unveiled by; General Anderson and the spotlight then turned to Miss Jane Twigg, firms but without success. Heavy damage was done to the safes at both firms, according to police, particularly to the one at the Lamberth office.

Deputy Sheriff Leamond Hall of Gloucester and State Trooper A. L. Hauser and a special investigator of the Virginia State Police were investigating the breakins here today. George Lamberth, one of the owners of the lumber mill, discovered the breakin at his office at approximately 2:30 A. M.

today upon Memorial Book Shelf At Library Mathews, Sept. 23 A section for memorial books has been set aside at the Mathews Memorial Library, according to Miss Dahlia E. Callis, librarian. Persons who wish to give a lasting tribute to the memory of someone may do so by placing one or more books in the library book collec tion, to be used in general circula tion. Upon receipt of the book the family will be notified by the library board.

There is on exhibit at the library a miniature copy of St. Augustine's chair in the Canterbury Cathedral, tngland, which is said to be made of material from the old tower. The exhibit was loaned by Miss Georgi enne Mogford. The current book exhibit is on art. Included is the book, "Master pieces of Painting from the National Gallery of Art," loaned by Senator and Mrs.

w. M. Minter. Mrs. Alfred Marchant has returned to her home from the Medi cal College of Virginia Hospital wnere she has been a patient.

Mrs. Mattie Miles of Norfolk is spending some time with Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Hughes. Mrs.

Sidney Hughes visited her father, R. L. Mickelborougb, at Johnston-Willis Hospital, Richmond, Saturday. Mr. and Mrs.

Page Herberts of Norfolk spent the week end with the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hobday. Mrs. Walter Gayle has returned to her home from Johnston-Willis Hospital where she has been a pa tient.

Mrs. Sara Grosskoff of Pittsbureh is visiting Mrs. Samuel Cuthbert. Horace Hudgins, who has been spending the Summer here, will leave soon for West Palm Beach, to spend the Winter. Miss Ann Mickelborougb.

of Longwood College spent the weekend at her home. Mrs. H. D. M.

Orrett of Jamaica, B. W. was a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Hughes.

Miss Elizabeth Forrest has returned to the Richmond Profession al Institute to resume her Dr. and Mrs. William Gillespie of Roanoke, formerly of Mathews, spent the week-end here. Mrs. Samuel Forrest, Mr.

and Mrs. M. F. Barnett and M. F.

Bar-nett Jr. of Portsmouth were week end visitors here. Mrs. L. S.

White is spending some time in Richmond with her daughter, Mrs. Diane White, who will be married this month. Miss Betty Jane Hudgins, who is attending a business college in Rich mond, spent Sunday at her home here. Among those who attended the Tobacco Festival in Richmond were Bobby James, Samuel Forrest and Earl Soles. Allen Callis of Mathews.

a freshman at Randolph-Macon Col lege, played one ot the football games held during the week end. Col. and Mrs. Clarke K. Fales are spending a week in New York State Notes 36 New Polio Cases Richmond, Sept.

23. UP) Vir ginia had 36 new cases of poliomyelitis during the past week, nine less than in the preceding week, the State Health Department said today. I he new cases boosted the states total for the year to 568 compared with 448 a year ago. Mate health officials recently have said they expected a continuing drop in weekly totals. Last weeks cases included 15 paralytic, 20 non-paralytic and one not specified as to type.

Norfolk County topped the lo calities with seven new cases for the week. Next were Norfolk City and Fairfax County with four each. Other totals: Alleghany, Chesterfield, Henrico, Fauquier, Nansemond, Princess Anne, Stafford and Washington Counties and the Cities of Hamp ton, Newport News and Roanoke, 1 each. Also, Northampton and Rockbridge Counties and the City of Richmond, two each. i Bridges New Lay Leader For Bellamy Gloucester, Sept.

23. Richard M. Bridges of Gloucester was elected charge lay leader of Bellamy Methodist Church at the Fourth Quarterly Conference which was held recently at the church This is the highest office that a layman may obtain in the local Methodist Church according to the Rev. Victor B. Anthony III, pastor.

Bridges is also custodian of legal papers, steward and trustee of the church. Malvin Carlton was elected church school superintendent He holds the positions of chairman of the commission on education and steward also. Herbert Clements was elected as sistant church school superintendent. He will be in charge of promotional work in the Bellamy Church School Richard C. Harper was elected district steward.

He is also record ing steward and steward and has mimeographed the church bulletin for five years. Carlton Shackelford was elected financial secretary and steward, Edwin H. Johnston was named reserve district steward. He a 1 holds the positions of chairman of the ofhcial board and steward and is a teacher and councilor in the youth department of the church. The annual report of Bellamy Methodist Church shows an increase in the church school of 65 new pupils over last year.

Increases were also noted in the children's youth and nursery departments. Mrs. Earl South is in charge of the nursery department which is one of the largest in the Rappahannock District ac cording to the Rev. H. Wark Curry, district superintendent.

What Price Achoo Mishawaka, Sept. 23. (5) Samuel J. Strang, 40, lost control of his auto today, sideswiped a parked car, plowed through a lawn and smacked into a tree. Mishawaka police estimated the damage at $450.

Strang explained that he sneezed. damaged. Police said there was every indication that the two break ins were by the same group. After the combination had 'been battered off the Coca-Cola company's safe and attempt was apparently made to remove the safe from the building when the attempt to enter it was unsuccessful. Harry Tappan, company manager here, said the safe was a new one and weighed approximately 1700 pounds.

Last night's breakins at the two firms was the second time this year for each firm. The safe was removed from the Coca-Cola Bottling Works in a break in April 19 and West Point, Sept. 23. A. Edwin Kendrew, vice-president of the Colonial Williamsburg's Division of Architecture Construction and Maintenance, was guest speaker at the meeting of the West Point Kiwanis Club Tuesday.

Ninety members of the club and their wives attended the meeting which was "Ladies Night" Kendrew spoke to the group on what will be done in the future to complete the restoration of Wil liamsburg. He spoke of the wonder ful co-operation of the Williamsburg citizens. He said, "the purpose of Colonial Williamsburg is to re-create accurately the environ ment of the men and women of 18th century Williamsburg and to bring about such an understanding of their lives and times that present and future generations may more vividly appreciate the contributions ot these early Americans to the ideals and culture of the country." Kenarew said that tne work is about 80 or 90 per cent completed In spite of the misunderstanding on the part of some that we are be coming commercial, 1 assure you that we devote the greater part of all efforts to the educational field and business activities are consid ered only as a necessary comple ment to the educational objectives. He closed his talk by showing slides, first of the Frenchman Map which showed the extent of loth century development and the town map of Williamsburg showing the area being developed. These maps were followed by views of buildings and gardens which have been re stored.

Kendrew came to Colonial Wil liamsburg in 1934 from the staff of Perry. Shaw and Hepburn, the Bos ton firm which did the preliminary architectural work on the restora tion project. He worked on the Williamsburg project from its incep tion in 1926 and came to the firm's branch office in 1930, subsequent to joining Colonial Williamsburg. A- native of Compton County, Quebec, Canada, he has become a naturalized citizen since coming to Virginia. He studied at Northwest ern University, Wentworth Insti tute, Boston University and the Bps- A 1 uuu ukiiucviuiai uuu.

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lassiter of Boykins were week end guests of Misses Alma and Rosalv Bland at their home at Shacklefords. Bobby Pleasant and Davis Rolson Bitzer of the University of Rich mond were week end guests of the former parents, the Rev. and Mrs.

Robert M. Pleasant. Among those from West Point who attended the celebration of the 230th anniversary of St. Peter Episcopal Church in New Kent Sun day were Mr, and Mrs. W.

G. Waring, P. B. DeShazo, Miss Lucille Bland, Miss Louise Anderson, Miss Alma Bland, Mrs. oCnway Martin, Miss Boothe Bland, Miss Jeanette Bland, Miss Susie Corr and Miss Keel Everett.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carter and children spent Sunday with the for mer parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.

Carter, near Bowling Green and Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Barlow at Lome.

Youth Choir Rehearsal Set Gwynn's Island, Sept. 23. The Youth Choir of Gwynns Island Baptist Church will hold its rehear-cal Bt fi'lfl P. M. Fridav.

There will be no adult choir practice this week. A study course entitled, Ihe mill of the People." is being held each evening at 7:30 through Friday at the church Wilson Rowe has returned to his home after spending sometime in Massachusetts. The WMS and BWC of the Gwynn's Island Baptist Church met recently and a i a mc dour, "How Beautiful Upon the Moun tain. Mrs. uazene rwoore laugui the book and Mrs.

John Godsey lead the observance of the Season of Prayer for State Missions. Mrs. Goldie Morgan and daughter Doris Ann. and Mr. and Mrs.

Milton Morgan and daughter, Carol A mm returned In Norfolk after visiting relatives here, 1 Gloucester, Sept. 23. The Gloucester Woman's Club will enter tain the faculties of Botetour, Achilles and Hayes Elementary Schools and Gloucester High School at a tea onday, Oct. 19, at 4 P. The tea will be held following the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the club at 2:30 P.

M. Mrs. Chandler Bates is chairman of arrangements and Mrs. Raymond Brown is chairman of the hospitality committee. The Garden Group of the Woman Club will be in charge of decorations for the tea under the direction of Mrs.

L. S. Emory, chair man. At a meeting ofthe Board of Trustees held Monday afternoon, the group voted to contribute $2.50 to the Citizens Association for Teacher Recruitment in Gloucester. It was also announced that Mrs.

Charles Lauback, Mrs. Bertram Smith and Mrs. James Morgan had been accepted into the club- as new members. Simple Honesty Beats Diplomacy New York, Sept. 23.

In this troubled world, the simple virtue in an honest neart sometimes counts for more than all the weight of diplomacy. Three weeks ago. can driver Joseph J. Burns found a purse with $280 in his cab. He went to a lot of trouble to return it to its owners, Milagros Crespo, 11, and Mercedes Colster, 13, visitors nere trom Venezuela.

Today. Burns. 26, received this letter from the U. S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezulea: "There are enclosed herewith two clippings from the Caracas newspaper, El Nacional, giving an account of your honesty in connection with the return of a pocketbook to a little Venezulean girl.

This newspaper is not customarily friendly to the United States and your action has resulted in publicity favorable to our conutry. later found in York County near Tabb where it had been forced open and abandoned. The Lambertn firm was entered May 2 but attempts to open the safe were unsuccessful at that time also. The building was entered through a window at that time also, but an acetylene outfit was used in an attempt to burn into the steel safe. Police noted today that Gloucester County has had a record number of breakins this A large number of them were accounted for with the conviction two weeks aao of four Gloucester County men, but a number ol others remain unsolved, Hayes Guests At Reception Hayes, Sept.

23. The teachers of Hayes Elementary School were guests of honor at a reception Mon day night following the meeting of the fia. Mrs. Henneth Hoaee. president of the PTA, introduced the members of the faculty which includes, Mrs.

A. G. Birdsall. Mrs. Hershel Shackelford, Mrs.

William Streagle, Mrs. Cecil Haynes, Mrs. Lester Sterling and Mrs. Robert Bailey ot. the members and welcomed the new patrons of the school.

The Rev. Norman F. Hunt, pastor of the Gloucester Point Methodist Charge, lead the devotional and spoke briefly to the group on character and spiritual education. Mrs. Hogge.

the president, was elected delegate to the State Convention to be held in Bristol Oct. 19-21. The association also voted, to contribute $5 to the Citizens Committee for Teacher Recruitment and $25 to the Tidewater Guidance Clinic. i i a Mrs. Bailey, principal of 1 the school, asked the association to con tinue supporting the playground pro gram and spoke of the need for equipment for the smaller children.

It was announced that there are 122 homes represented in the school which has two first grades for the first time in its history. The sixth grade has been moved to Achilles to relieve the congestion. Mrs. Hogge announced that the Chesapeake District will meet at Park View School in Warwick Sept. 29 from 9:45 A.

to 12:30 P. M.s The Gluocester PTA Federation will" meet on November 9 at Hayes1. School. A workshop for parents and teachers will be held following supper. A school of instruction for the- officers and committee chairmen ofv the PTA's in the county will be" held at Hayes Oct.

12 from 7. to 10 M. After the business meetin Superintendent of Schools D. D. Forrest spoke briefly to the group.

News And Notes Of Port Haywood Port Haywood, Sept. 23 Mr. and Mrs. Edward Poole and children of Philadelphia, were recent guests of Mrs. Poole's mother, Mrs.

Clarence White. They were accompanied here by Franklin White who is spending' sometime at his home. Morgan Pritchett has entered the University of Richmond where he. will be a student. Mr.

and Mrs. Gleason Evans and children spent the weekend in Hunt- mgtown, as guests of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Young. They also visited the former's brother, Willie Evans, at Solomon Island.

Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Fernald. and family spent Sunday in Portsmouth visiting relatives. They were accompanied by Mr.

and Gollie Fernald who will spend two-, weeks with Mr. and Mrs. Linwood toiggs. Arnold Hurst has returned to his home from Riverside Hospital where: he was a patient several weess. Mr.

and Mrs. James Callis, Malvin Pugh and Miss Marionette Prgh visited Mrs. Raymond Wil- lams in Mary immaculate Hospital Sunday. Mr. and Mrs.

El wood Fernald and family spent Sunday in Hampton with relatives. Mrs. Richard Shapland is a patient in Johnston-Willis Hospital. Mr. and Mrs.

Judson Hudgins and daughter of Lackey spent the week--. end with the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Hudgins.

Mi Melissa Hudains of Rich-. mend spent the weekend with her nurmt Mr. and Mrs. Lester parents. Hudgins.

Mrs. Bob Trask and family are spending sometime with the for mer's mother, Mrs. AJvifie Forrest, before leaving for Main wktrt Mr. Trask is stationed. 'lS ATTEMPTS MADE TO OPEN SAFES OF TWO GLOUCESTER FIRMS Two unsuccessful attempts were made to open safes in breakins in Gloucester County Tuesday night.

Deputy Sheriff Leamond Hall, Qeh), surveys damage to the safe of S. C. Lamberth Bros, and State Trooper A. L. Hauser and Harry Tappen, manager, of the Gloucester Coca Cola Bottling Works, (above) examine the safe at the bottling works which was also heavily Attempts Made To Force Safes Of Two Area Firms arriving at the office.

The screen had been cut and the window glass broken to permit opening of the lock on the window from the in side. The combination lock had been beaten off of the large safe and at tempts had been made to cut into the side of the steel safe. Police said many of the tools used in the attempt on the safe had been picked up at the Lamberth building. Papers were scattered through the office, but no cash was stolen. The Coca-Cola building was en tered in a similar manner as the Lamberth firm, with a window glass at the side of the building broken to permit opening of the window.

Gloucester, Sept. 23. With four men already in jail awaiting sentencing for a series of local break-ins, Gloucester County police today were investigating what ap; peared to be the work of still another burglary gang. The Gloucester Coca-Cola Bottling Works at Gloucester Couit House and the S. C.

Lamberth Bros, office on U. S. Route 17 three milei of Gloucester, were entered during last night. Attempts were mada to force the safes at both.